Contact insert

Abstract

A contact insert (1) comprising a main body (2) and comprising a plurality of contact elements (3a, 3b) is illustrated and described. In the contact insert (1), incorrect plug-connection of individual contact elements (3a, 3b) is prevented by way of the contact elements (3a, 3b) each having a conductor connection region (4), a contact region (5) and a functional region (6a, 6b), wherein the functional region (6a, 6b) is arranged between the conductor connection region (4) and the contact region (5), by way of a plurality of continuous receiving chambers (7a, 7b) for receiving one contact element (3a, 3b) each being formed in the main body (2), by way of a receiving region (8a, 8b) being formed in each of the receiving chambers (7a, 7b), wherein the receiving regions () are each designed to receive the functional region () of a contact element (3, 4) and to fix the contact element (3, 4) in a receiving chamber (7a, 7b), by way of two different types of contact elements (3a, 3b) being provided, these differing from each other in terms of the geometric design of the functional regions (6a, 6b), and by way of two different types of receiving chambers (7a, 7b) being formed in the main body (2), these differing from each other in terms of the geometric design of the receiving regions (8a, 8b) in such a way that a contact element (3a) of the first type can be inserted only into a receiving chamber (7a) of the first type and a contact element (3b) of the second type can be inserted only into a receiving chamber (7b) of the second type.

Description

[0001] Contact insert

[0002] The invention relates to a contact insert with a base body and with a plurality of contact elements, wherein a plurality of continuous receiving chambers for each receiving a contact element are formed in the base body.

[0003] Such contact inserts are used in various designs and shapes in industrial connection technology to create detachable electrically conductive connections between individual cables. The contact inserts are often used in connectors and corresponding mating connectors, for which the contact inserts are positioned and secured in the housing part of a connector.

[0004] The contact elements inserted into the receiving chambers of the base body can be contact pins or contact sockets, which are connected to corresponding contact elements of a mating contact insert when the contact insert is plugged together with the corresponding mating contact insert. The contact elements each have a conductor connection area with which the end of a conductor can be connected to the contact element. The conductor connection areas can be designed in different ways, for example, as crimp connections, screw connections, tension spring connections, spring clamp connections, or insulation displacement connections.

[0005] Contact inserts in which the number and type of contact elements arranged in the base body cannot be changed are often referred to as fixed-pole contact inserts. Such fixed-pole contact inserts enable a high contact density, i.e., a large number of contact elements per surface. However, to meet the widest possible range of applications, a multitude of different variants are required, each featuring different mating faces and varying numbers and types of contact elements.

[0006] To increase flexibility, modular connectors are used in which individual contact inserts, each with only a few contact elements, are inserted into separate holding frames and secured there. The fully equipped holding frame, in which the respective contact inserts are inserted, can be inserted into a housing part of a connector and secured there. For this purpose, the holding frame has a flange section on each of its two end faces. Because the contact inserts can be inserted individually into the holding frame, it is possible to equip a holding frame with different contact inserts depending on the intended use. The holding frame with the contact inserts therefore has a modular design, which means that a connector can be flexibly adapted to the respective application in terms of the number and type of contact elements.

[0007] Regardless of whether they are so-called fixed-pole contact inserts or whether the contact inserts are intended to be used as modules in a holding frame, the contact elements must first be inserted into the individual receiving chambers in the base body and secured therein during the contact insert manufacturing process. To ensure that the contact elements are securely held in the receiving chambers, the contact elements can be glued into the receiving chambers or overmolded during the production of the base body, both of which, however, involve increased effort. Alternatively, the individual contact elements can also be pressed into the receiving chambers, although this leads to restrictions regarding the possible materials for the base body.

[0008] It is also known from practice that the individual contact elements are inserted into the receiving chambers and then locked into place. For this purpose, locking hooks are formed in the individual receiving chambers and circumferential collars are formed on the individual contact elements, which lock into the locking hooks when the contact elements are fully inserted into the receiving chambers. With such contact inserts, inserting and securing the contact elements in the base body of the contact insert is thus simple and can even be carried out mechanically. However, this cannot prevent the mismating of individual contacts.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a contact insert which can be constructed and assembled as simply as possible, whereby the aforementioned disadvantages are to be avoided as far as possible.

[0010] This object is achieved in the contact insert according to the invention with the features of patent claim 1 in that the contact elements each have a conductor connection area, a contact area, and a functional area, wherein the functional area is arranged between the conductor connection area and the contact area, and in that a receiving area is formed in each of the continuous receiving chambers in the base body. The receiving areas are each designed to receive the functional area of ​​a contact element and to fix the contact element in the receiving chamber. According to the invention, two different types of contact elements are provided, which differ from one another in the geometric design of the functional areas. In addition, two different types of receiving chambers are formed in the base body, which differ from one another in the geometric design of the receiving areas.The geometric design of the functional areas and the geometric design of the receiving areas are coordinated with one another in such a way that a contact element of the first type can only be inserted into a receiving chamber of the first type and a contact element of the second type can only be inserted into a receiving chamber of the second type and can also be fixed therein.

[0011] In the following, the contact elements of the first type are also referred to as "normal" contact elements, and the contact elements of the second type are referred to as "coded" contact elements. Accordingly, the receiving chambers of the first type represent "normal" receiving chambers, and the receiving chambers of the second type represent "coded" receiving chambers.The different geometric design of the functional area of ​​a "normal" contact element compared to the geometric design of the functional area of ​​a "coded" contact element, and the different geometric design of the receiving area of ​​a "normal" receiving chamber compared to the geometric design of the receiving area of ​​a "coded" receiving chamber, ensure that a "coded" contact element can only be inserted and secured in the designated "coded" receiving chamber, and that a "normal" contact element can only be inserted and secured in a designated "normal" receiving chamber. This prevents incorrect assembly not only of a "coded" contact element, but also of a "normal" contact element.

[0012] A "normal" contact element can, for example, be a contact element that is connected to a phase conductor, while a "coded" contact element is intended for connecting the PE conductor. Even though a contact insert usually only has one coded contact element and several normal contact elements, and accordingly only one coded receiving chamber and several normal receiving chambers, the invention is neither limited to a specific number of contact elements and receiving chambers nor to a specific distribution between normal contact elements and coded contact elements or between normal receiving chambers and coded receiving chambers.In principle, it is also possible for the contact insert to have different, coded contact elements, so that more than just two different types of contact elements are provided and, accordingly, more than two different types of receiving chambers are formed in the base body.

[0013] In principle, there are various ways to realize the different geometric configurations of the functional areas and the receiving areas. Preferably, the functional areas of the contact elements and the receiving areas of the receiving chambers have specially designed sections that are coordinated with each other in terms of their diameter and / or height.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the functional area of ​​a contact element of the second type has a shoulder with an outer diameter c. Furthermore, the receiving area of ​​a receiving chamber of the second type has a through section with an inner diameter d, while the receiving area of ​​a receiving chamber of the first type has a through section with an inner diameter b. Regarding the diameters, d > c and b < c applies. The functional area of ​​a "coded" contact element thus has a shoulder whose outer diameter c corresponds to the inner diameter d of the through section of a "coded" receiving chamber, so that the shoulder of the "coded" contact element can be inserted into the through section of a "coded" receiving chamber.Since the through-section of a "normal" receiving chamber has an inner diameter b that is smaller than the outer diameter c of the shoulder of a "coded" contact element, the shoulder of the "coded" contact element cannot be inserted into the through-section of a "normal" receiving chamber.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the functional area of ​​a contact element of the first type has a collar with a height h. Correspondingly, the receiving area of ​​a receiving chamber of the first type has a holding section with a height g, where g > h, so that the collar can be received by the holding section of the receiving area of ​​a receiving chamber of the first type. The receiving area of ​​a receiving chamber of the second type, on the other hand, has a holding section with a height i that is less than the height h of the collar, so that the collar of a "normal" contact element cannot be received by the holding section of a "coded" receiving chamber.Preferably, the functional area of ​​a contact element of the second type also has a collar, wherein with regard to the height j of the collar, j < i applies, so that the collar of the "coded" contact element can be received by the holding section of a "coded" receiving chamber.

[0016] As previously explained, the receiving area of ​​the receiving chambers each has a holding section for receiving a collar formed on the contact element. If the collar is received in the holding section, the contact element is thereby fixed in its position in the receiving chamber in the longitudinal direction of the contact element or the receiving chamber. The individual holding sections are preferably realized in that at least one locking arm is formed in the individual receiving chambers and a support edge is formed in the receiving area at a distance opposite the free end of the at least one locking arm. The distance between the free end of the locking arm and the opposite support edge determines the height of the respective holding section.In a receiving chamber of the first type, the distance between the free end of the locking arm and the opposite support edge is thus greater than the distance between the free end of the locking arm and the opposite support edge in a receiving chamber of the second type.

[0017] When a contact element is inserted into the associated receiving chamber, the collar formed on the contact element is located between the support edge in the receiving area and the free end of the locking arm, thus securing the contact element in the receiving chamber. The height of the collar and the height of the retaining section are coordinated in such a way that the collar is accommodated in the retaining section with as little play as possible. The height i of the retaining section in the receiving area of ​​a "coded" receiving chamber is significantly lower than the height h of the collar of a "normal" contact element, to prevent a "normal" contact element from being secured in a "coded" receiving chamber.

[0018] In order to ensure that the contact elements are not only fixed in the receiving chamber in the longitudinal direction, but are also arranged as centrally as possible in the individual receiving chambers transversely to the longitudinal direction of the receiving chamber, the contact elements preferably each have a conical region, to which a corresponding conical region is formed in each individual receiving chamber.

[0019] In the contact element of the first type, the conical region is arranged on the side of the collar facing away from the conductor connection region, with the contact region of the contact element adjoining the conical region. In the receiving area of ​​the receiving chamber of the first type, a corresponding conical region is formed between the support edge and the through-section.

[0020] The contact element of the second type also has the conical region on the side of the collar facing away from the conductor connection region, but in this case, the contact element's shoulder adjoins the conical region, which is then followed by the contact region of the contact element. For this purpose, a corresponding conical region is formed in the receiving area of ​​the receiving chamber of the second type between the support edge and the through-section.

[0021] The previously described and geometrically specially designed functional area of ​​the contact elements, together with the receiving area, serves to fix the contact elements in the respective receiving chamber and to code between the different types of contact elements and the corresponding different types of receiving channels.

[0022] The collar of the functional area of ​​a contact element of the first type preferably has an outer diameter ei, for which purpose the receiving chambers of the first type have a maximum inner diameter fi, where fi > ei, so that the collar can be received in the receiving chamber. Accordingly, the collar of the functional area of ​​a contact element of the second type preferably has an outer diameter e2, and the receiving chambers of the second type have a maximum inner diameter f2, where f2 > e2. Preferably, the outer diameter ei corresponds to the outer diameter e2, and the inner diameter fi also corresponds to the inner diameter f2.

[0023] The conductor connection areas serve for the mechanical and electrical connection of the individual conductors to the individual contact elements. Various designs of the conductor connection areas are possible. The conductor connection areas can be designed, in particular, as crimp connections, spring-cage connections, screw connections, tension spring connections, or insulation displacement connections.

[0024] The contact sections of the contact elements serve to contact the corresponding mating contact elements of a mating contact insert or a second contact insert, which can be arranged in a mating connector. The contact sections are preferably pin-shaped or socket-shaped. The contact area of ​​a contact element has an outer diameter a that is smaller than the outer diameter c of the shoulder in the functional area of ​​the contact element of the second type.

[0025] In detail, there are several possibilities for designing and developing the contact insert according to the invention. Reference is made to the individual patent claims as well as to the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0026] Fig. 1 a perspective view and a sectional view of a contact insert with several contact elements,

[0027] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a contact element of the first type and a contact element of the second type,

[0028] Fig. 3 a section of a contact element of the first type and a contact element of the second type, from the side,

[0029] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a section of the contact insert, with a receiving channel of the first type,

[0030] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a section of the contact insert, with a receiving channel of the second type,

[0031] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a section of the contact insert according to Fig. 4, with a contact element of the first type inserted into the receiving channel, and

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of a section of the contact insert according to Fig. 5, with a contact element of the second type inserted into the receiving channel.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a contact insert 1 according to the invention, comprising a base body 2 and a plurality of contact elements 3a, 3b. A contact element 3a of the first type, a "normal" contact element, is shown separately in Fig. 2a, and a contact element 3b of the second type, a "coded" contact element, is shown separately in Fig. 2b. The number of contact elements 3a, 3b in the contact insert 1 is not limited to the number shown in Fig. 1. A contact insert 1 can also have fewer or more contact elements 3a, 3b than shown in the embodiment.

[0034] From the perspective view of the two contact elements 3a, 3b in Fig. 2a and 2b, it can be seen that both contact elements 3a, 3b each have a conductor connection area 4, a contact area 5, and a functional area 6a, 6b, with the functional area 6a, 6b being arranged between the conductor connection area 4 and the contact area 5. While the conductor connection area 4 is identical in both contact elements 3a, 3b, the two contact elements 3a, 3b have geometrically different functional areas 6a, 6b. Furthermore, the two contact areas 5 differ from each other in that the contact area 5 of the "coded" contact element is slightly longer than the contact area 5 of the "normal" contact element, which is also evident in the sectional view of the contact insert in Fig. 1b.

[0035] To accommodate the contact elements 3a, 3b, several continuous receiving chambers 7a, 7b are formed in the base body 2 of the contact insert 1. These chambers extend from the top side of the base body 2 to its bottom side. Thus, the conductor connection area 4 of a contact element 3a, 3b is accessible from the top side, and the contact area 5 of a contact element 3a, 3b is accessible from the bottom side through the corresponding receiving chamber 7a, 7b. The designations "top side" and "bottom side" refer to the orientation of the contact insert 1 shown in Fig. 1. The contact insert 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a total of six receiving chambers 7a, 7b, so that six contact elements 3a, 3b can be inserted into the contact insert 1, and normally, six contact elements 3a, 3b are inserted. The receiving chambers 7a, 7b are arranged in two rows with three receiving chambers 7a, 7b each.In principle, however, the number and arrangement of the receiving chambers 7a, 7b may differ from the illustrated embodiment.

[0036] From the sectional view according to Fig. 1b, it can be seen that of the three adjacent receiving chambers 7a, 7b, the two outer receiving chambers 7a are designed as receiving chambers 7a of the first type, while the middle receiving chamber 7b is designed as receiving chamber 7b of the second type. Accordingly, a contact element 3a of the first type is inserted in each of the two outer receiving chambers 7a of the first type, while a contact element 3b of the second type is inserted in the middle receiving chamber 7b of the second type.

[0037] The receiving chamber 7a is provided for receiving a contact element 3a of the first type, and the receiving chamber 7b for receiving a contact element 3b of the second type. For this purpose, a receiving region 8a, 8b is formed in each of the receiving chambers 7a, 7b, which is designed to receive the corresponding functional region 6a, 6b of a contact element 3a, 3b and to fix the contact element 3a, 3b in the receiving chamber 7a, 7b. The receiving chambers 7a of the first type differ from the receiving chambers 7b of the second type in that the respective receiving regions 8a, 8b have different geometric designs. As a result, a contact element 3a of the first type with its functional region 6a can only be inserted into a receiving chamber 7a of the first type that has a receiving region 8a corresponding to the functional region 6a.Accordingly, a contact element 3b of the second type with its functional area 6b can only be inserted into a receiving chamber 7b of the second type, which has a receiving area 8b corresponding to the functional area 6b.

[0038] The geometric design of the two functional areas 6a, 6b is particularly evident in Figs. 3a and 3b. The geometric design of the two receiving areas 8a, 8b is particularly evident in Figs. 4 and 5, and the interaction of the functional areas 6a, 6b with the receiving areas 8a, 8b is particularly evident in Figs. 6 and 7.

[0039] From Fig. 3b, it can be seen that the functional area 6b of the contact element 3b of the second type, i.e., the "coded" contact element, has a shoulder 9 with an outer diameter c. The corresponding receiving area 8b of the receiving chamber 7b of the second type, i.e., the "coded" receiving chamber, has a through-section 10b with an inner diameter d, as can be seen from Fig. 5. Here, d > c, so that the shoulder 9 can be inserted into the through-section 10b, as can be seen from Fig. 7. The receiving area 8a of the receiving chamber 7a of the first type, i.e., the "normal" receiving chamber, in contrast, has, according to Fig. 4, a through-section 10a with an inner diameter b, where b < c. As a result, the shoulder 9 of the "coded" contact element 3b cannot be inserted into the through-section 10a of the "normal" receiving chamber.3a and 3b also show that the two contact elements 3a, 3b each have a collar 11a and 11b, respectively. The collar 11a of the "normal" contact element 3a has a height h, while the collar 11b of the "coded" contact element 3b has a significantly lower height j. As can be seen from Figs. 4 and 5, a holding section 12a and 12b, respectively, is formed in the two receiving areas 8a, 8b of the two receiving chambers 7a, 7b. The holding section 12a of the receiving area 8a of the "normal" receiving chamber 7a has a height g, and the holding section 12b of the receiving area 8b of the "coded" receiving chamber 7b has a height i.While the height g of the receiving area 8a is at least as large as the height h of the collar 11a of the "normal" contact element 3a, the height i of the receiving area 8b is at least as large as the height j of the collar 11b of the "coded" contact element 3b, but less than the height h of the collar 11a of the "normal" contact element 3a. This results in the collar 11a of the "normal" contact element 3a only fitting into the receiving area 8a of the "normal" receiving chamber 7a and not into the receiving area 8b of the "coded" receiving chamber 7b. However, the "normal" contact element 3a can be fixed longitudinally in the "normal" receiving chamber 7a if its collar 11a is located in the holding area 12a. Accordingly, the "coded" contact element 3b is fixed in the "coded" receiving chamber 7b in the longitudinal direction when its collar 11b is received by the holding area 12b.

[0040] The previously described geometric design of the functional areas 6a, 6b of the two contact elements 3a, 3b and the geometric design of the receiving areas 8a, 8b of the two receiving chambers 7a, 7b reliably prevents a contact element 3a, 3b from being inserted into the wrong receiving chamber 7a, 7b. A "normal" contact element 3a can only be inserted and locked into a "normal" receiving chamber 7a, while a "coded" contact element 3b can only be inserted and locked into a "coded" receiving chamber 7b.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the two holding sections 12a, 12b are realized by forming at least one locking arm 13 in each of the individual receiving chambers 7a, 7b, and a support edge 15 in the receiving area 8a, 8b, spaced from the free end 14 of the locking arm 13. The distance between the free end 14 of the locking arm 13 and the opposite support edge 15 determines the height g or i of the respective holding section 12a or 12b, as can be seen from Figs. 4 and 5.

[0042] In particular, from the representation of the sections of the two contact elements 3a, 3b in Figs. 3a, 3b, it is also evident that the "normal" contact element 3a has a conical region 16a on the side of the collar 11a facing away from the conductor connection region 4, to which the contact region 5 of the contact element 3a adjoins. The "coded" contact element 3b also has a conical region 16b on the side of the collar 11b facing away from the conductor connection region 4. However, in the "coded" contact element 3b, the conical region 16b is not adjoined by the contact region 5, but rather by the shoulder 9 of the contact element 3b. The conical areas 16a, 16b serve to ensure that the functional areas 6a, 6b of the contact elements 3a, 3b can be guided more easily past the free ends 14 of the locking arms 13 and inserted into the respective holding section 12a, 12b.

[0043] From Figs. 4 and 5, it can be seen that conical regions 17a, 17b corresponding to the conical regions 16a, 16b of the contact elements 3a, 3b are formed in the receiving regions 8a, 8b of the receiving chambers 7a, 7b. The conical regions 17a, 17b are each formed between the support edge 14 and the corresponding through-section 10a, 10b. Together with the conical regions 16a, 16b of the contact elements 3a, 3b, they serve to center the contact elements 3a, 3b in the receiving chambers 7a, 7b.

[0044] As can be seen from Fig. 6, the conical portion 16a of the "normal" contact element 3a rests against the conical portion 17a of the receiving portion 8a when the "normal" contact element 3a is inserted into the "normal" receiving chamber 7a. Similarly, the conical portion 16b of the "coded" contact element 3b rests against the conical portion 17b of the receiving portion 8b when the "coded" contact element 3b is inserted into the "coded" receiving chamber 7b (see Fig. 7).

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, both the collar 11a of the "normal" contact element 3a and the collar 11b of the "coded" contact element 3b each have the same outer diameter e. Correspondingly, both the receiving area 8a of the "normal" receiving chamber 7a and the receiving area 8b of the "coded" receiving chamber 7b have the same maximum inner diameter f. The maximum inner diameter f is at least as large as the outer diameter e of the collars 11a, 11b, so that the collars 11a, 11b can slide along the inner walls of the receiving chambers 7a, 7b until they rest on the support edge 14.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor connection areas 4 of the two contact elements 3a, 3b are both designed as crimp connections 18, without the invention being limited thereto. As previously described, the conductor connection areas can also be designed as spring-cage terminals, screw connections, tension spring connections, or insulation displacement connections, or have corresponding connection elements. The contact sections 5 of the two contact elements 3a, 3b are pin-shaped in the illustrated embodiment, but can also be designed differently, in particular as socket-shaped.

[0047] Reference symbol

[0048] 1. Contact insert

[0049] 2. Basic body

[0050] 3 a. Contact element first type

[0051] 3b. Contact element second type

[0052] 4. Conductor connection area

[0053] 5. Contact area

[0054] 6a. Functional area

[0055] 6b. Functional area

[0056] 7a. Recording chamber first type

[0057] 7b Recording chamber second type

[0058] 8a. Recording area

[0059] 8b. Recording area

[0060] 9th paragraph

[0061] 10a. Transit section

[0062] 10b. Passage section

[0063] 11a. Collar ll.b Collar

[0064] 12a. Holding section

[0065] 12b. Holding section

[0066] 13. Locking arm

[0067] 14. free end of the locking arm

[0068] 15. Support edge

[0069] 16a. conical area

[0070] 16b. conical area

[0071] 17a. conical area

[0072] 17b. conical area

[0073] 18. Crimp connection

Claims

Patent claims 1. Contact insert (1) with a base body (2) and with a plurality of contact elements (3a, 3b), wherein the contact elements (3a, 3b) each have a conductor connection area (4), a contact area (5) and a functional area (6a, 6b), wherein the functional area (6a, 6b) is arranged between the conductor connection area (4) and the contact area (5), wherein a plurality of continuous receiving chambers (7a, 7b) are formed in the base body (2) for receiving a respective contact element (3a, 3b), wherein a receiving area (8a, 8b) is formed in each of the receiving chambers (7a, 7b), wherein the receiving areas () are each formed for receiving the functional area () of a contact element (3, 4) and for fixing the contact element (3, 4) in a receiving chamber (7a, 7b), wherein at least two different types of contact elements (3a, 3b) are provided, which is reflected in the geometric design of the functional areas (6a,6b) differ from each other and wherein at least two different types of receiving chambers (7a, 7b) are formed in the base body (2), which differ from each other in the geometric design of the receiving areas (8a, 8b) such that a contact element (3a) of the first type can only be inserted into a receiving chamber (7a) of the first type and a contact element (3b) of the second type can only be inserted into a receiving chamber (7b) of the second type.

2. Contact insert (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional area (6b) of a contact element (3b) of the second type has a shoulder (9) with an outer diameter c, that the receiving area (8b) of a receiving chamber (7b) of the second type has a passage section (Hb) with an inner diameter d, where d > c, and that the receiving area (8a) of a receiving chamber (7a) of the first type has a passage section (11a) with an inner diameter b, where b < c.

3. Contact insert (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the functional area (6a) of a contact element (3a) of the first type has a collar (11a) with a height h, that the receiving area (8a) of a receiving chamber (7a) of the first type has a holding section (12a) with a height g, where g > h, and that the receiving area (8b) of a Receiving chamber (7b) of the second type has a holding section (12b) with a height i, where i < h.

4. Contact insert (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the functional area (6b) of a contact element (3b) of the second type has a collar (11b) with a height j, where j < i.

5. Contact insert (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the collar (11a) of the functional area (6a) of a contact element (3a) of the first type has an outer diameter ei and the collar (11b) of the functional area (6b) of a contact element (3b) of the second type has an outer diameter e2, that the receiving chambers (7a) of the first type each have a maximum inner diameter fi and the receiving chambers (7b) of the second type each have a maximum inner diameter f2, where fi > ei and f2 > e2.

6. Contact insert (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that in each of the individual receiving chambers (7a, 7b) at least one locking arm (13) and a support edge (15) located at a distance from the free end (14) of the locking arm (13) are formed, wherein the support edge (15) is arranged in the receiving area (8a, 8b) and the height i or the height j of the holding section (12a, 12b) of the receiving area (8a, 8b) corresponds to the distance between the free end (14) of the locking arm (13) and the opposite support edge (15).

7. Contact insert (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact element (3a) of the first type has, on the side of the collar (11a) facing away from the conductor connection area (4), a conical area (16a) to which the contact area (5) of the contact element (3a) is connected, and in that a corresponding conical area (17a) is formed in the receiving area (8a) of the receiving chamber (7a) of the first type between the support edge (15) and the through section (10a).

8. Contact insert (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the contact element (3b) of the second type has, on the side of the collar (11b) facing away from the conductor connection area (4), a conical area (16b) to which the shoulder (9) of the contact element (3b) adjoins, and that a corresponding conical area (17b) is formed in the receiving area (8b) of the receiving chamber (7b) of the second type between the support edge (15) and the through section (10b).

9. Contact insert (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the conductor connection region (4) and / or the contact region (5) of the individual contact elements (3a, 3b) each have an outer diameter a, where a < c.

10. Contact insert (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the conductor connection regions (4) of the contact elements (3a, 3b) are designed as a crimp connection, a spring-clamp connection, a screw connection, a tension spring connection, or a cutting connection.

11. Contact insert (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact sections (5) of the contact elements (3a, 3b) are pin-shaped or bush-shaped.

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